Jack Kerouac - The Beat Generation

I adore the energy in this piece that Kerouac paints with words. This may prove useful for members of the group chasing a narrative structure.

Allen Ginsberg - Howl

Inspirational. I find myself lost in the words.

Allen Ginsberg was part of the beat generation, a group of writers that questioned mainstream politics and culture within America in the 1940's/1950's. Amongst his peers were William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassady, and Jack Kerouac, who were also influential voices of the beat movement.

MeWithoutYou - January 1979

Gracing my ears. I enjoy the visuals.

beautiful

I understand that some members of the group are considering producing a narrative for their final piece. This animated video has an interesting structure that keeps the viewer guessing. It's a powerful piece but it's not for the faint hearted. I found it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTtv3DyXRow

sculpting the inevitable part two

The design is almost complete. I have a strong cover suitable to the content. It frustrates me that progress is slow, the task a constant battle of trial and error. Will the Canford Snow White complete the look? Print quality must be the staple, everything else is secondary. The book consumes me.

Below are images and notes documenting the design process in hand with noted whims and additional research. My mind skips from one to the other, always looking for the next project. Also present is a list of local book binders that I've been encouraged to approach as they may be able to offer advice on materials, or even create a final piece beyond my own ability. Though I am sceptical of the costs entailed, the book is the key and a professional finish is desirable. If I am unable to sculpt it myself I may pursue these avenues.

I've been encouraged to approach local book binders

Design for book cover

Design for book cover

why make art?

“If you’re not dispossessed why make art?” Mike Mills



A film that caught my eye recently is Beautiful Losers. It’s a documentary about a group of artists who came to fruition in NYC through various subculture movements in the early 1990’s. The documentary explores the lives and careers of the artists within the group, interviewing several of its members, including; Phil Frost, Chris Johanson, Margaret Kilgallen, Harmony Korine, Mike Mills and Ed Templeton. There are also sections within the feature that observe how the group exhibits its work and the preparation that goes into holding these exhibits.

It is now being streamed in several parts at Babelgum Metropolis,
www.babelgum.com/beautifullosers

I feel the documentary provides a powerful insight into a myriad of art mindsets, as well as shedding light on self promotion and exhibiting art. All of which can prove beneficial for our own artistic endeavours and group exhibition.

the nature of the beast

The full versatility of this blog and its dashboard interface have yet to be fully utilised, and my lack of knowledge may mislead my observations. I am intent on understanding the device and will continue to post evidence of my thought process towards this goal.


Screen shot of Blogger Dashboard

Screen shot of Blogger Dashboard with Auto Save feature

Screen shot of Blogger Preview feature

The dashboard proves a smooth friendly interface. Writing a blog post is a simple process, with “Preview” and “Save Now” features providing a pivotal flexibility. A blogger does not have to rush writing a post, as there is an auto save feature that stores content so that it can be observed or edited at a later date, or worry over how their post will be presented, as the unforeseen is quickly dispelled with the “Preview” button. Further structures to save confusion can be found in the colours of the “Publish Post”, in orange, “Save Now” & “Preview” buttons, in blue, bellow the compose post window. The colours contrast nicely against each other but remain unthreatening with the orange implying a passive immediacy. Placing the “Publish Post” in its own colour also supports the individual nature of the post, a position of standing out from the crowd, a unique identity that then transfers to the publisher of the post. There is also a strong link between the orange in “Publish Post” and the colour of the Blogger logo, found at the top of the page, which enforces the Blogger brand and suggests a higher authority overshadowing the individual nature of the publisher, whilst retaining a strong and reassuring sense of community.  

I enjoy the minimalist design of the compose post window as it makes for easy navigation. Its use of picture icons to promote editing features also heightens this usability. So far I have found blogging to be a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Do not wait for your ship to come in - swim out to it

The ground keeps shifting beneath our feet. The air thick with good intention keeps the discourse tethered on a positive wave. It’s an exciting time. With no place to house our exhibition* the horizon has changed and we now scurry around in a new light, seeking new opportunities. I believe everything is possible.

Yesterday the group decided upon a name for the exhibition: this is what it is. I’ve been throwing ideas around in photoshop to aid our promotional campaign. Although nothing is certain and these ideas may be superseded, their importance is to contribute toward our motivation.

As a design having the name split into two different colours implies diversity, whist retaining a cohesive whole enforces themes of structure and support. The grey text against a white backdrop holds a neutral simplicity, a crisp freshness, adhering to a no nonsense sensibility. Having the "this is" text just visible is a deliberate ploy attempting to provoke further interest from a viewer as they observe the design. I am considering darkening the "this is" text slightly to allow a more obvious reading and I will post further additions to the design here on the blog. These designs are in no way final pieces and are fully open to debate. 

*news of our group exhibition and any promotional material designed or attributed to it will also feature in this blog, as part of our outcome criteria is that we design a poster for our exhibition. We are currently looking for a venue to help showcase our work, designing promotional material and considering sponsorship to fund the exhibition.

one room into another

What I adore about this place is the ability to walk from one room into another, then another, until you become lost in wonderment. The influence becomes a subtle trace. The journey is so disorientating that you end up back where you began. Though this time the room looks different, the eye becomes caught on things not evident before. A new trace begins. You walk toward the next room. The journey starts again.  

This blog will be the same as all my other projects where the process of research continues throughout. It is an essential structure that allows my projects to evolve. Periodically within this space I will share with you the things that catch my eye.

Grant Willing, http://grantwilling.com/ .

from Svart Metall by Grant Willing

from Fils de la Liberte by Grant Willing

 

from Fils de la Liberte by Grant Willing

 

from Svart Metall by Grant Willing

 

from Fils de la Liberte by Grant Willing

Elo Vazquez, http://helloelo.net/helloelo/iceland1.html

 from Iceland by Elo Vazquez

 from Iceland by Elo Vazquez

 from Iceland by Elo Vazquez

Alana Celii, http://alanacelii.com/

 from untitled landscapes by Alana Celii

from Travels by Alana Celii 

from odd sympathy by Alana Celii

Questions

sculpting the inevitable

I am chasing my own tail testing competing paper stocks, pastel against parchment, watercolour against card, 150gsm against 240gsm. The vision is to showcase the final work in a self published book but finding the right paper is difficult. The success of the book dictates a keen eye to match content with colour and texture with mood. Daler & Rowney produce the perfect papers for the task with their Canford Snow White & Coffee. The paper can be found at Fred Aldous http://www.fredaldous.co.uk/shop-online/canford-paper-a4.htm for a fairly competitive price.

The book is the final product of a project not yet complete. I have previous images to allow the process to begin though these will not be used in the final piece. The idea is to remove the hurdle of trial and error that so eagerly consumes a book maker’s time, so that more energy can be focused on the books content.

a leap into fresh air

My initial scepticism has subsided. This electronic entity harbours my thoughts. The fresh air becomes my muse.